Peggy 53

OMG..... Talk about sweet revenge!

Like waking up from the best sleep ever...and wanting to stay there. This was my 4 th surgery and the only one that was rough was the open hysterectomy. This laparoscopic thing is the best.

Well honestly, your regret seems to be based on the false assumption that most of the world has....that anyone can lose the weight if they just eat less and exercise more. And yet the statistics do not bare that out. Less than 10% of obese people are able to lose the weight and keep it off. It's not from a lack of trying by those people. Indeed most if not all of us tried and failed many many times.
There are many factors both psychological and physiological that make it improbable for most of us to lose the weight and keep it off. The surgery is not the easy way out. It's not a short cut and it's not cheating. It's a tool to help you overcome those obstacles unfairly put in our way....those obstacles that most non obese people know nothing about. Do not feel guilty and do not regret your decision. I am almost 18 months post op. I've lost my weight, started a new life and found many reasons for living that I never dreamed existed. Those things would not be any sweeter had I lost the weight without surgery.

I think your feelings are totally normal and I wrestled with this very issue for 2 years before I decided to do it. My only regret is that it took this long. I will be 53 next week and have lost 60 pounds so far. I couldn't have done this without my sleeve. I have tried everything possible and only ended up yo yoing and gaining. Sometimes in life we need help for whatever reason. This was my hand up and I will forever be happy with my decision. You will be amazed at how great you are going to feel and believe me this was not the easy way out. Don't get hung up on what others perceive and callously say. They don't even come close to understanding what an obese life is like or the struggles that we have had to try and lose the weight. Your life will return to you once you have healed from the surgery only better!! Hang in there!

This is the sign in my doctors office.
There is no shame in asking for help for a disease that is killing you....

This is the sign in my doctors office.
There is no shame in asking for help for a disease that is killing you....

Maggie the choice is yours. But would you tell them that you lost all the weight by strictly following the diet and exercise plan endorsed by Curves?
Diet and exercise doesn't work for everyone. Sometimes we need the additional help. That doesn't mean that you can't set a good example for the members of Curves by exercising and following the meal plan when you are cleared by your physician.
I bet some members probably would just assume you are following the plan and it worked. You will have others that want to know your secret because they are having the same struggles as you. Some will probably assume you had the surgery regardless if you tell them or not.
This answer isn't going to come to you over night. But there could be other women who are struggling the same way you are and you could be their inspiration.
Don't be ashamed in your decision to have surgery. You are doing what is best for you! Be proud of yourself!

I'm just at 6 weeks and am eating lots of fish, deli meat, eggs, and even un-puréed turkey chili. I can eat 1 cup of chili. I'm also eating at least 1-2 Greek yogurts each day. Proteins shakes 4-4 days per week.

For me the most wonderful thing is that I now have a sense of being in control!

Oh...SERIOUSLY? I just got my first shipment from them today. So much cheaper than buying at GNC

Oh...SERIOUSLY? I just got my first shipment from them today. So much cheaper than buying at GNC

WOO HOO !!!!!!

Ya.. She's nuts alright. Not solid science either. Our guideline are simple and basic. Protein first, protein first, protein first, then non starchy verges, then fruit 1-2 servings, then healthy oils and nuts. The starchy verges are added back as we lose weight and the breads/cereals/flours...well it's suggested that those be put off until we have lost the weight we need/want to lose. Once the weight is gone, add it back in one at a time. Protein goal for a sleeve is 60gms per day for women and 80 grams for men....now if I'm busting my butt exercising, I can increase the protein. The carb guideline is 60- 80 grams per day during the serious weight loss phase. This will increase as time goes on. fruit juice is not favored as it is very high in sugars...but Soup, chili, etc...bring it on. In fact add unflavored protein if you need and extra protein boost. If we stay in those guidelines....the world is mine. I do track my food using My Fitness Pal.....It keeps me honest and informed so I'm not playing any head games...

Sleeved 8/28
Start of the program I was 231
Pre-op I was 221.
This morning I was 200! WooHoo!. So I'm averaging about 3 lbs per week
Next week this time I should break the 200 mark.
Also My BMI is 39 which means I am no longer Morbidly Obese. I'll take it., That's a victory in my book.
Doing better with foods. Some days are better than others. Fluids is my challenge. If I can get 40oz , I'm having a good day

Sleeved 8/28
Start of the program I was 231
Pre-op I was 221.
This morning I was 200! WooHoo!. So I'm averaging about 3 lbs per week
Next week this time I should break the 200 mark.
Also My BMI is 39 which means I am no longer Morbidly Obese. I'll take it., That's a victory in my book.
Doing better with foods. Some days are better than others. Fluids is my challenge. If I can get 40oz , I'm having a good day

I think that during the first 3 to 6 months every VSG patient should comply fully with all the guidelines from their NUT. This is for your health and safety, and there's simply no excuse for not complying. The fact that some other surgeons let their patients have pureed foods at two weeks out and your surgeon makes you wait four weeks is not enough reason for you to override your surgeons/NUTs requirements.
Once you are further out, then things become more flexible. I think you should still comply with all things they put forth that relate to health and safety, such as drinking enough fluids, consuming enough Protein, and Vitamins, etc. For the other types of things I think you should try to conform to what your NUT asks for the most part. If there are things that are particularly burdensome to you, such as not drinking coffee, and if most other programs allow you to do that then you have to make the decision if you are going to do that or not. If you make that decision, then you should do it after you make yourself fully aware of why the rule was put in place, and what the tradeoffs are for not following that rule. You should not override the NUTs advice simply because you feel it is burdensome and you don't want to follow it. In other word, only go against your NUTs advice if you fully understand what you are doing. And only go against your NUTs advice in a few areas.
On the other hand, you can try to find another NUT that is more compatible with you.

Heaviest weight 233lbs. June 5th 2013
Surgery August 7th 2013 - 215lbs
5 weeks post op - 197lbs. September 11th
That's 36lbs in 3 months! I am thrilled with this!
Still having problems with Fluid and Protein.

I just wanted to quickly say hello, as I have just joined VST.
My name is Holly and I had my sleeve on August 26th. So far I'm very pleased, and really feel like I've taken a huge step towards improving my life.
Looking forward to meeting friends and a support network here!

Silly question...are you taking the antacid twice a day? It may need to be doubled like...omaprazole 40 mg twice a day. Or pantoprazole 40 mg twice a day. I started with taking mine before bed cuz between my thyroid meds and multi vits (antacids need to be taken 30 min before other meds or supplements) , there was just no time left..... So I've taken the PPI at night. And yes, reflux can get worse after VSG which is why they will do, or supposed to do, an RNY on those with reflux pre-op. Sorry you feel so miserable, love. I know that wasn't a good experience. If you start with a fever before you see your doc on Tuesday, please go to the emergency room..you may have aspirational pneumonia.

Silly question...are you taking the antacid twice a day? It may need to be doubled like...omaprazole 40 mg twice a day. Or pantoprazole 40 mg twice a day. I started with taking mine before bed cuz between my thyroid meds and multi vits (antacids need to be taken 30 min before other meds or supplements) , there was just no time left..... So I've taken the PPI at night. And yes, reflux can get worse after VSG which is why they will do, or supposed to do, an RNY on those with reflux pre-op. Sorry you feel so miserable, love. I know that wasn't a good experience. If you start with a fever before you see your doc on Tuesday, please go to the emergency room..you may have aspirational pneumonia.

Waking up every morning and knowing I have changed my life! Be able to shop with my daughters and try on clothes from the same racks! Seeing the happiness in my husbands eyes simply because he is happy for me! Setting an example for others and giving them hope for their own futures! Going to Disney and fitting comfortably in all the rides and keeping up with my family! Knowing food doesn't rule over my life any more! Kicking some of the eating habits that have plagued me forever and feeling in control of it all! Knowing that I am almost ready to learn how to surf.......and I will do it!! Life is good!

Confidence

Last night in the kitchen my boyfriend and I were goofing around. He picked me up off the ground with no problem. That's never happened before! I've never even let a man try to carry me anywhere!

Great topic on this thread. I hadn't really processed it, but I too feel guilty if I think I'm eating too much when clearly it is such a small portion compared to my pre-op days. I get full, like I'm supposed to, but even that is a whole new experience because before full happened only after at ate half the refrigerator ( ok a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm sure y'all understand my drift) . I have yet to experience 'physical' hunger. I eat pretty much because I know i have to get the Protein in. If it wasn't for that, I'm sure I'd just graze along with a bite here and there cuz my head does say...have some if that.
As for the comments on the nutritionist, that is clearly someone who has no idea who compulsive eaters are and what food/sugar/carb addiction is all about. I highly doubt she'd tell an alcoholic to have beer when their drink of choice is vodka. I know a lot of my trigger foods, and I have to be careful with some fruit cuz it triggers too. I have a whole list of " bet you can't eat just one" because I can't - sleeve or no sleeve. I have got to keep it clean, lean and mean. I've tried moderation, and that doesn't work for me. I did a lot of work with a therapist before my surgery.
I was reading a study today that commented how we choose our words.... If we say we can't eat something, there is a greater chance that we will eat it. Whereas if we say I don't eat something, there is a greater chance we won't. This was a study done with a bunch of college students and the outcomes were surprising. But it makes sense. The feelings of " I can't " leave me feeling in this place of self punishment. I can't go out, I can't eat pizza, I can't drive a car.... But to say "I don't" has a different visceral response. Ok now I think of the snooty girl who looks down her nose, that sense of entitlement. I don't wear polyester, I don't eat sugar, I don't drink tap Water, I don't eat Cookies. One is like a "poor me" syndrome, while the other is a sense of self care and personal entitlement. Granted the snooty girl can be a B$$ch, but if done honestly it sets a personal boundary that someone else just can't get thru. Ya, the first dietician would tell us we could eat popcorn in week 2.... Oh, my belly hurts thinking of eating it now. She was an idiot. I have a much better on now who get it.
Ultimately we have to know ourselves and be honest with ourselves. Tallyho